If you are unemployed, or have ever been unemployed, it probably isn’t surprising to hear that multiple studies have found that unemployment has a negative impact on mental health. Nursel Aydiner-Avsar and Chiara Piovani’s study in particular analyzed the impact that unemployment had on the mental health of men and women separately. Their article, The Gender Impact of Unemployment on Mental Health: A Micro Analysis for the United States, found that when unemployed, both men and women suffer from a decline in mental health.
This study was published on January 22nd, 2019. It analyzed the “individual-level micro-data from the NHIS in the United States in 2013 and 2014” to identify how unemployment impacts mental health of men and women separately (Aydiner-Avsar &Piovani, 512). The researchers hypothesized that in the United States the women’s mental health would be affected equally or more severely than the men when unemployed (510-511). The researchers came to this hypothesis because empirical literature suggested that men and women’s mental health declined similarly after unemployment in countries with dual breadwinner models (512). On the other hand, countries with males as the central breadwinners, showed that men’s mental health declined more than the women’s (512).
Unemployment Increase the Probability of Depression & Anxiety in Men and Women
The empirical findings in the 2013 to 2014 NHIS data in the United States showed that men and women’s mental health did in fact illustrate a similar decline after unemployment. According to the researchers “The similar effect of unemployment status on men’s and women’s mental health status is consistent with the prediction of the dual breadwinner gender regime” (519,524). Data from the study showed that “unemployment status increases the probability of anxiety by 10.9% for both men and women” (519). Being unemployed also increased the probability of depression for both men and women. Compared to women who were employed, women who were unemployed were 6.1% more likely to be depressed (519). Similarly, men were 6.9% more likely to be depressed while unemployed than men who were employed (519).
The study also found that “Being a wage earner reduces the probability of depression by 2.6% for women only” (524). In contrast, the findings showed that the “Lack of participation in the labor force increases the probability of anxiety and depression by 5.9% for men only” (524). Men only also had a 10.5% increase for the probability of anxiety if they were a recipient of welfare (524). Both men and women who were a recipient of welfare had an increase probability for depression (524). Being a welfare recipient increased the probability for depression in women by 7.6% and 7.2% in men (524). The researchers believe that the 10.5% increase in anxiety in men only who receive welfare “might be a reflection of the greater negative stigma attached by men to being on welfare…” (524).
Unemployment Can Have a Negative Impact on Mental Health
In general, this study demonstrates that those who are unemployed have a higher probability of being anxious and depressed than those who are employed. The findings that both men’s and women’s mental health is negatively impacted by unemployment may not be too surprising. However, the findings can prove to be helpful and a source of comfort for those who are dealing with higher depression and/or anxiety while unemployed. Hopefully, the knowledge that unemployment can increase the probability of both anxiety and depression, leads to a greater awareness about unemployment’s ability to have a negative impact on mental health.
You Are Not Alone
If you currently don’t have a job, and have noticed that being unemployed has increased your depression and anxiety, know that you aren’t alone. Personally, when I am unemployed I tend to feel anxious and depressed. I get anxious about not making money. Both my mind and my body feel anxious about having to go to job interviews. I become fearful and anxiety ridden that the interviewer won’t like me and will reject me. If I do get rejected from a job interview I become depressed. I take the rejection personally and feel really sad afterwards. The feelings of self-doubt and failure lead to me feeling really low. Knowing this about myself and hearing others share a similar sentiment about being unemployed, I wasn’t shocked by the results of the study. This doesn’t mean I’m going to take the results and use them as a way to allow myself to wallow and lay victim to negative spiraling while I’m unemployed.
Be Kinder to Yourself
I hope those reading this don’t fall into a negative spiral either. To me, these results illustrate that we need to be kinder to ourselves. I recently wrote an article about different ways to be kinder to yourself after a job rejection. If you are unemployed and have recently been rejected by a job, take a look at that article and see if any of the advice in it resonates with you. Also, if you are feeling extra anxious and depressed while unemployed seek out professional help. There’s no shame in having a professional counselor or therapist help you navigate through the feelings of depression and anxiety. In addition, do research and/or ask a therapist about ways you can increase your mental health during unemployment.
Check Up on Those Who Are Unemployed
Those of you who are reading this and are in the employed group, check in on your loved ones who are unemployed. Reach out to your best friend who got fired. Check up on your spouse who finally quit that sucky job. Know that your friend, spouse, son, or daughter who is unemployed may need extra love and support.
To those of you who are unemployed, I hope you remember to give yourself grace. Know that you are not alone. If you know friends or loved ones who are also unemployed or who were recently unemployed reach out and talk with them. It can be a great opportunity to make their day, as well as your own. Lastly, give yourself that extra love and support that you need.
Work Cite
Aydiner-Avsar, Nursel, and Chiara Piovani. “The Gender Impact of Unemployment on Mental Health: A Micro Analysis for the United States.” Forum for Social Economics, 22 Jan. 2019, doi:10.1080/07360932.2018.1535991.